This may be my first time reviewing an NZXT product on TechPowerUp but I have tested some of the brand's fans and coolers before to where I had some experience with NZXT CAM software and how poorly optimized it used to be. CAM didn't enjoy the best of debuts to the PC DIY market and I still don't see people really talk about it as a distinctive feature enabling people to choose an NZXT product over others. With the new Function 2 MiniTKL keyboard, I was happy to see how much better CAM has gotten and I will also give a shout-out to the product manager and support team there. The software is still trying to do more things than I personally care for but now you can set it up to do just what you want. With this keyboard, you have all the options and then some—customize actuation distance, backlighting effects, key mapping including an extensive macro editor, and a few other performance tweaks too. It does all this while not being a resource hog either and ends up making the keyboard better for the end user.

Speaking of which, I will also give props to whoever decided to go for a full-size, TKL, and miniTKL form factor for NZXT's keyboard line. With the Function 2, the TKL size seems to have been discontinued in favor of the other two but we still end up with keyboards that use non-mechanical switches and are not typical small form factor units. No doubt this will please many who have become tired of all the 65-75% keyboards released every day. In fact, I dare say the main reason to go for the NZXT Function 2 keyboard is for the unique miniTKL version which gives you more keys than the TKL size does while taking up less space on your desk. This has tangible benefits for ergonomic typing as well as gaming, with more room for your mouse to move around, but can end up becoming a steep entry barrier if your muscle memory is trained to look for modifier keys in rows above the arrow keys rather than arranged in columns. I struggled for a couple of days before getting back to my usual typing speed and accuracy to where I even typed this entire review on the Function 2 miniTKL. The lighter weight can also help make this a travel keyboard should you be so inclined, although I suppose having only wired connectivity somewhat negates that use case.

The other reason to consider this keyboard is for the new Gateron optical switches used here. NZXT has made quite a few updates in its Function 2 lineup, including adding keyboard dampening and switching from ABS to PBT keycaps, but I wasn't convinced either of these really made a tangible difference. This keyboard still felt weakly dampened, the keycaps don't come off as feeling premium, and the stabilizers are more miss than hit. I'd have given these a pass had the pricing being under $100 and it was easy to mod the keyboard for those willing to put in the time/effort but NZXT makes it unnecessarily hard to take the keyboard apart in a non-destructive manner! So we go back to those switches where at least NZXT has done the logical thing and opted for two actuation distances to choose from, but we don't get extensive per-key customization across a wider range that is possible with Hall effect switches, as recently seen. Incidentally, that particular keyboard is also a delight to type on although it is slightly more expensive and goes for a 65% form factor which may be a deal breaker for some. Having only linear feedback can be a deal breaker for some too, so there remain a lot of things to be aware of here. The NZXT Function 2 miniTKL is certainly an intriguing keyboard, although not necessarily one that will meet the needs of everyone.